JPH032407B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a fuel gauge equipped with a gauge that allows the current amount of fuel in a fuel tank to be known in more detail when the amount of fuel in the fuel tank falls below a certain level. .

(Prior art) As a conventional fuel gauge, for example,
A device as shown in the figure is known.

This fuel gauge includes a parent gauge 010 and a child gauge 020.

The parent gauge 010 is a parent sensor 011 of a variable resistor that is provided in the fuel tank 030 and detects the current amount of fuel 0G and outputs the parent current amount signal 0a.
and a parent display unit 013 having a parent display unit 012 with a display range from 0 to full (F) in the vehicle interior, and inputting the parent current amount signal 0a to display the current amount;
It is equipped with

The parent sensor 011 is connected to the parent display means 013.
A parent resistor 014 is connected to the main resistor 014 and vertically installed in the fuel tank 030, and a float 031 that floats up and down along the parent resistor 014 is connected to the ground side. and a parent contact member 015 that comes into contact with.

Therefore, as the float 031 rises and falls, the contact position between the parent resistor 014 and the parent contact member 015 changes, thereby changing the resistance value between the display means 013 and the ground.

The child gauge 020 is a variable resistor whose maximum resistance value is smaller than that of the parent sensor variable resistor, which is provided in the fuel tank 030, detects the current amount of fuel 0G, and outputs the child current amount signal 0b. Child sensor 021 and child display section 0 with display area from 0 to 1/4
22 in the vehicle interior, and a sub-display means 023 that inputs the sub-current quantity signal 0b and displays the current quantity.

The child sensor 021, like the parent sensor 011, includes a child resistor 024 and a child contact member 025, and the child contact member 025 is provided on the same float 031 on which the parent contact member 015 is provided. .

Further, the parent display section 012 and the child display section 022 are provided at the same location in the vehicle interior and have the same size,
The parent display section 012 has a scale in 1/4 increments in the 0 to full display area, and the child display section 022 has a scale in 1/32 increments in the 0 to 1/4 display area of the parent display section 012. is being struck.

Therefore, in this fuel gauge, the parent sensor 0
11 and the child sensor 021, and the currents that change due to changes in resistance as the float 031 rises and falls are defined as the parent current amount signal 0a and the child current amount signal 0b, respectively, and the currents corresponding to the signals 0a and 0b are The current amount was displayed on both display sections 012 and 022.

Also, if the current amount becomes 1/4 or less, the child gauge will be 0.
20 child display section 022, it was possible to know the current amount in more detail.

In addition, in the parent gauge 010, when the resistance value of the parent sensor 011 changes from 0 to r ₁₄ Ω, the parent display part 012
, displays full to 0, and also displays child gauge 0.
20, the resistance value of the child sensor 021 changes from 0 to r ₂₄ Ω, so that the child display section 022 changes from 1/4 to
It was displaying 0.

Moreover, r ₁₄ > r ₂₄ .

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the case of such a conventional fuel gauge, the parent gauge 010 and the child gauge 020
The following problems arose because the current amount was displayed on each display section independently and without relation to each other.

Water may enter the fuel tank 030 by mixing with fuel or by refueling during rainy weather. This water is heavier than the fuel and accumulates at the bottom, and this water has caused the formation of oxide films on the resistors 014 and 024 of the parent gauge 010 and the slave gauges 020.

When an oxide film is formed on the parent and child resistors 014 and 024 in this way, the resistance increases, and this increase in resistance causes an error in displaying a smaller current amount on the display section.

However, in the child display section 022, the child sensor 021
1/4 of the set amount is displayed when the resistance value of In this case, there is a problem that a contradictory display is displayed to the driver while the current amount of full to 1/4 is being displayed on the main display section 012.

Furthermore, in the conventional fuel gauge illustrated in FIG. 4, since the resistance value r ₂ D of the child resistor 024 is smaller than the resistance value r ₁₄ of the parent resistor 014, If the display width is equal to that of the display section 022, the degree of error display due to increased resistance due to oxidation will be greater in the child gauge 020.

This means that if the increased resistance value is Δr,
This is because the display change rate Δr/r ₂₄ of the child gauge 020 is larger than the display change rate Δr/r ₁₄ of the parent gauge 010, so the degree of needle deflection due to errors in the child display section 022 increases. be.

In this way, even if the deviation due to the error is larger in the child display part 022, the child display part 022 will display the current amount less than 1/4 earlier than the parent display part 012, resulting in a contradictory display. There was a problem with this.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and in order to achieve that purpose, the fuel gauge of the present invention has the following solving means. did.

The solution of the present invention will be explained with reference to the conceptual diagram of the claim shown in FIG. 1. A parent sensor 2 of a variable resistor is provided in a fuel tank 1, detects the current amount of fuel G, and outputs a parent current amount signal a. A parent gauge 5 is provided, which has a parent display section 3 having a display range from 0 to full in the vehicle interior, and a parent display means 4 which inputs the parent current amount signal a and displays the current amount. a variable resistor child sensor 6 installed in the fuel tank 1 to detect the current amount of fuel G and output a child current amount signal b; and a child sensor 6 whose display range is from 0 to an arbitrary set amount h. A fuel gauge is provided with a child gauge 9 having a display section 7 in the vehicle interior and a child display means 8 for inputting the child current quantity signal b and displaying the current quantity, the parent gauge 5 and the child display. When the parent current quantity signal a is detected between the parent current quantity signal a and the means 8, and the signal a is a signal for displaying the set quantity h or more, the child display section 7 of the child display means 8 displays the set quantity h or more. The solution is provided with a set amount display command circuit 10 that outputs a set amount display command signal c to be displayed.

(Function) Therefore, in the fuel gauge of the present invention, the parent current quantity signal is detected between the parent gauge and the child display means, and when the signal is a signal that causes the child gauge to display an amount equal to or more than the set amount of the child gauge, the above-mentioned Since the means is provided with a maximum display command circuit that outputs a maximum display command signal that causes the display section of the child display means to display an amount equal to or more than the maximum value of the display area, the parent gauge does not display more than the set amount of the child gauge. Even if the slave sensor outputs a signal indicating the current amount below the set value to the slave display means, the maximum display command circuit outputs the maximum display command signal, and the slave gauge displays the maximum display area. Display a value or more.

(Example) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, the configuration of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 will be explained.

A is a fuel gauge according to an embodiment of the present invention,
It includes a parent gauge 100, a child gauge 200, and a maximum display command circuit 300.

The parent gauge 100 displays the current amount of fuel G in a display range from full to zero, and includes a parent sensor 110 and a parent display means 120.

The parent sensor 110 is provided in the fuel tank 400, detects the current amount of fuel G, and outputs the parent current amount signal a1.
As shown in FIG. 3, a parent resistor 111 is connected at one end to the power supply side, and a float 410 that floats on the oil surface of the fuel G and moves up and down as the amount of oil increases and decreases. The main contact part 11 that comes into contact with
2 and 2 form a parent variable resistor 113, and the current amount can be determined by the change in resistance value of the parent variable resistor 113 as the oil amount changes.

In the parent sensor 110, a constant voltage is applied to the parent variable resistor 113, and a current value that changes in proportion to a change in the resistance value of the parent variable resistor 113 is used as the parent current amount signal a1.

Further, the parent resistor 111 is connected to the fuel tank 40
The main board 114 is formed of a non-conductive member that extends vertically from the lid part 421 of the cylinder 420 to the bottom surface to be immersed in zero oil. .

The parent display means 120 displays the parent current amount signal a.
1 is input, and the current amount of fuel is displayed in the range from 0 to full tank.

The parent display section 121 has a display panel 122 and a pointer 1.
23, and the display panel 122 is E, 1/4,
The scale is marked at 1/2, 3/4, and F.

The pointer 123 also has a parent actuation section 124 which inputs the parent current amount signal a1 and causes the pointer 123 to swing.
It is connected to the.

The actuating section 124 includes an electromagnet and a magnet (not shown) therein, and receives current (main current amount signal a1).
The amplitude of the amplitude changes depending on the strength of the wave.

Further, the resistor 125 is provided to prevent excessive current from flowing to the parent operating section 124.

The child gauge 200 displays the current amount of fuel G in a display range where the maximum display current amount is 1/4 to 0 of the fuel tank capacity.
It includes a child sensor 210 and a child display means 220.

The child sensor 210 is provided in the fuel tank 400, detects the current amount of fuel G in the range of 1/4 to 0 of the capacity of the fuel tank 400, and outputs a child current amount signal b1.
This child sensor 210 outputs the third
As shown in the figure, a child resistor 21 has one end connected to the power supply side and is provided in parallel with the parent resistor 111.
1 and a child contact portion 212 provided on the float 410 and in contact with the child resistor 211 form a child variable resistor 213, and the parent sensor 1
Similar to 10, the variable resistor 213 changes as the oil amount changes.
The current amount can be determined by the change in the resistance value. Note that, like the parent sensor 110, the child sensor 210 also applies a constant voltage to the child variable resistor 213,
A current value proportional to the resistance value of the child variable resistor 213 is used as the child current amount signal b1.

Further, the child resistor 211 is connected to the main board 11.
4 is printed in the lower 1/4 region that is immersed in oil.

The child display means 220 displays the child current amount signal b.
1 is input, and the current amount of fuel is displayed in the range from 0 to 1/4. This child display means 220 is provided between the child sensor 210 and the power source 500, and includes a child display section 221. There is.

The child display section 221 has a display panel 222 and a pointer 2.
23, and the display panel 222 has E, 1/3.
2. Scales are marked at 1/16, 3/32, 1/8, 5/32, 3/16, 7/32, and 1/4.

Further, the pointer 223 is connected to a child actuating section 224 similar to the parent actuating section 124, which inputs the child current quantity signal b1 and causes the pointer 223 to swing. Further, the resistor 225 is provided to prevent excessive current from flowing to the slave actuator 224.

The set amount display command circuit 300 includes a parent gauge 1
00 and the child display means 220, detects the parent current amount signal a1, and displays a current amount whose signal a1 is larger than 1/4 of the fuel tank capacity, which is the set amount of the child gauge 200. When the signal is a signal to display 1/4, it outputs a set amount display command signal c1 that causes the display unit 221 of the child display means 220 to display 1/4. transistor 320,
It includes resistors 330, 340, 350, and 360.

The transistor 320 is provided as an output part of the set amount display command circuit 300, and this transistor 320 is connected to the child gauge 200, and by connecting the child display means 220 of the child gauge 200 to the ground side. Set amount display command signal c
1, so that a current having the same value as the current when the resistance value of the child variable resistor 213 is 0 flows to the child display means 220, and in the child display section 221, the value 1, which is the set amount and the maximum value, is caused to flow to the child display means 220. Display /4.

Note that the transistor 320 connects the child display means 220 of the child gauge 200 to the ground side only when the base side receives a Hi output from the comparator.

The comparator 310 detects the parent current amount signal a1, and when the parent current amount signal a1 is a signal that causes the slave gauge 200 to display a value larger than 1/4, which is the set amount, the transistor 320 is set to Hi. This comparator 310 has a positive side connected to the resistors 330 and 340, and one side connected to the parent variable resistor 1.
13, the voltage between the parent sensor 110 and the parent display means 120 when a current, which is the parent current quantity signal a1 on one side, is flowing is compared with the reference voltage on the + side, and the reference voltage is determined. Outputs Hi when is large.
Note that the resistor 340 serves as a reference resistance, and the resistance value of this resistor 340 is the same as the resistance value of the parent variable resistor 113 when the current amount is 1/4. Further, the resistance value of the resistor 330 is the same as that of the resistor 125 of the parent gauge 100 and the resistor of the parent actuator 124.

Therefore, the parent gauge 10 is connected to the + side of the comparator 310.
The same voltage is input as the voltage when the parent current quantity signal a1 is flowing when 0 indicates 1/4. Furthermore, a dead area is created in the comparator by the resistors 350 and 360.

This is to prevent fluctuations in the output of the set amount display command signal when the parent current amount signal a1 is a signal indicating around 1/4.

Next, the operation of the embodiment will be explained.

In the parent gauge 100, float 4 floating on the oil surface
Due to the change in the resistance value of the parent variable resistor 113 due to the floating and sinking of the parent sensor 110, the parent display means 1
The parent current quantity signal a1 is output to the main display means 120, and the current quantity is displayed on the display section 121 of the parent display means 120.

In addition, in the set amount display command circuit 300, in the comparator 310, the reference voltage inputted to the + side (the voltage when the parent current amount signal a1 is a signal for displaying 1/4), and the reference voltage inputted to the − side. parent sensor 110
and the voltage between the parent display means 120, and when the parent current amount signal a1 is a signal for displaying an amount greater than 1/4, the transistor 320
As a result, the slave display means 220 of the slave gauge 200 is connected to the ground side without going through the slave sensor 210, and a signal c1 (current) for displaying the set amount is output to the slave display means 220.

In addition, in the child gauge 200, the display of the parent gauge 100 (display amount of the parent current quantity signal a1) is from full to 1/2.
4, the set amount display command circuit 300 displays the set amount (1/4 display), and thereafter, when the display on the parent gauge 100 becomes less than 1/4, the child current amount signal b1 from the child sensor 210 is displayed. According to the scale of 1/32 increments, the child display section 221 displays the parent display section 12.
Displays the current amount in more detail than 1.

Therefore, the resistance value increases due to the attachment of an oxide film to the child resistor 211, and the child sensor 2
Even if gauge 10 detects a current amount less than 1/4, the child display section 221 displays the maximum value by the set amount command display circuit 300, and the parent gauge 1
Child gauge is 20 even though 00 is displaying 1/4 or more
There is no conflicting display such as when 0 is displayed below 1/4.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and the present invention may be modified without departing from the gist of the present invention. included.

For example, in the embodiment, an analog type parent/child display unit using a pointer is used, but a digital type display unit may be used.

Further, in the maximum command display circuit, voltages are compared, but current values may be compared, or measurement may be performed without comparison.

(Effects of the Invention) Therefore, in the fuel gauge of the present invention, when a parent current quantity signal is detected between the parent gauge and the slave display means, and the signal is a signal that causes the slave gauge to display a value equal to or greater than the set quantity of the slave gauge, By providing the means with a maximum display command circuit that outputs a maximum display command signal that causes the display section of the child display means to display an amount equal to or more than the maximum value of the display area, the parent gauge can display an amount equal to or more than the set value of the child gauge. While displaying, even if the slave sensor outputs a signal indicating the current amount less than the set value to the slave display means, the maximum display command circuit outputs the maximum display command signal, and the slave gauge remains in the display area. The effect is that in order to display the maximum value or more, there is no conflicting display where the child gauge displays less than the set amount even though the current amount is between full and the set amount. is obtained.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a claim conceptual diagram showing a fuel gauge according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a fuel gauge A according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing main parts of a fuel gauge according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a fuel gauge A according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure is a circuit diagram showing a conventional fuel gauge. 1,400...Fuel tank, 2,110...Main sensor, 3,121...Main display section, 4,120...
... Parent display means, 5,100 ... Parent gauge, 6,2
10... Child sensor, 7,221... Child display section,
8,220... Child display means, 9,200... Child gauge, 10,300... Set amount display command circuit,
a, a1... Parent current quantity signal, b, b1... Child current quantity signal, c, c1... Setting amount display command signal, G...
…fuel.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A parent sensor of a variable resistor that is installed in the fuel tank and detects the current amount of fuel and outputs a parent current amount signal, and a parent display section with a display area from 0 to full that is connected to the vehicle. A parent gauge is provided indoors and includes a parent display means for inputting the parent current amount signal and displaying the current amount, and is provided in the fuel tank and detects the current amount of fuel and displays the slave current amount. A sub-display means that has a sub-sensor of a variable resistor that outputs a quantity signal and a sub-display section whose display range ranges from 0 to an arbitrary set quantity in the vehicle interior, and that inputs the sub-current quantity signal and displays the current quantity. In a fuel gauge provided with a slave gauge having the following, the parent current quantity signal is detected between the parent gauge and the slave display means, and when the signal is a signal for displaying the set quantity or more, A fuel gauge characterized in that a set amount display command circuit is provided that outputs a set amount display command signal that causes a child display section of the child display means to display a set amount or more.